5 Amazing Dive Sites in Oceania All Thrill Lovers Must Visit

Thrill lovers will know that there is nothing like exploring a new dive site. The rush of heading down into the unknown, finding something new and exhilarating, and unlocking the secrets of the ocean cannot be matched. If you are visiting any region in Oceania you will most certainly be spoilt for choice. These are the top options in that area.

1. Cod Hole – Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Cod Hole is one of the most famous dive sites in the world, so if you’re going to dive in Oceania, you really do have to put it on your list. The huge and friendly cod that live here are the main attraction, and at up to two metres long, they might be the biggest fish you’ve met. The coral itself is a beautiful environment and worth exploring. If what the scientists are saying is true, it’s also worth exploring now – before we lose it.

2. Carl's Ultimate - Eastern Fields, Papua New Guinea

When Carl Roessler, a pioneer in tourist dives, found this area, the legend says that he was so amazed he called it his Ultimate then and there. A visit will clearly show you why. The massive underwater ridge is ablaze with corals, sea fans, crinoids, and so many different types of fish that you will end up dizzy. This is the kind of place you will want to dive again and again, and many people do.

3. Rainbow Warrior - Cavalli Islands, New Zealand

Rainbow Warrior was famously the Greenpeace ship that was sunk in 1985 after French secret service agents got wind of its presence in Auckland Harbour. It was then moved to the Cavalli Islands after two years, where it has remained ever since. It has a maximum depth of 27 metres, so there’s plenty of time for any diver to explore the full wreck. It’s an artificial reef of some repute now, with lots of fish taking up residence in cabins that once housed protestors.

4. Monad Shoal - Malapascua, Philippines

This is a great dive site in itself, but its main draw is the elusive thresher shark. These long-tailed sharks are often hard to spot, but when you get to Monad Shoal early and wait, you might be in luck of seeing one. It’s amazing to wait with bated breath and then, finally, find that unmistakeable shape moving through the water towards you. These elegant and powerful beasts will be enough reward for the whole dive.

5. SS Yongala – Queensland, Australia

Just off the coast of Queensland, where your rented room could be a gateway to Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, you will find the SS Yongala. As one of the best-preserved wrecks in the area, it’s a great visit. It’s a truly remarkable dive which is recommended for those more advanced in diving skills. It also gained added notoriety in recent years as one diver is accused of murdering his wife there. The ship itself sunk in 1911 on the way to Cairns after getting stuck in a cyclone, with the loss of life of all 122 souls on board. If that’s not enough to send a shiver down your spine as you dive the wreck, nothing will!

There are so many options for diving in Oceania, and these are just five of the best – so the choices really are limitless. With so many fantastic reefs, exciting wrecks, and interesting underwater land formations, you’ll never run out of sites to visit in this part of the world. Each one is a real gift.